H.B. No. 4202

AN ACT

relating to proof of identity of a person making an acknowledgment of a written instrument.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 121.005(a), Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) An officer may not take the acknowledgment of a written instrument unless the officer knows or has satisfactory evidence that the acknowledging person is the person who executed the instrument and is described in it. An officer may accept, as satisfactory evidence of the identity of an acknowledging person, only:

(1) the oath of a credible witness who:

(A) is personally known to the officer; or

(B) provides the officer with a current identification card or other document issued by the federal government or any state government that contains the photograph and signature of the witness;

(2) a current identification card or other document issued by the federal government or any state government that contains the photograph and signature of the acknowledging person; or

(3) with respect to a deed or other instrument relating to a residential real estate transaction, a current passport issued by a foreign country.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 4202 was passed by the House on May 10, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 129, Nays 0, 2 present, not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 4202 was passed by the Senate on May 28, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor